| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience was the first time I backpacked the Grand Canyon. With a group of family and friends, we set out into the canyon with everything we needed to survive strapped to our backs. This experience allowed me to see what it was like to escape from society and realize that many of the material things we are so used to we really do not need to survive. This trip gave me a new appreciation for nature and the beauty she has to offer. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My mother is the most important person to me in my life. When my father moved out, and my sister left home, my mother and I became extremely close. We realized how similar we were. Although many mothers tell their children that they can tell them anything, I do not believe many children actually believe this, or do this. But this is the case with my mother. I tell her everything and value her input more than anyone else. After she has given me so much, in much of what I do today I try to emulate the things she has taught me and make her proud. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Honesty is first and foremost the trait I look for in an individual. I believe it is both very easy and very common for people to tell you what you want to hear, but those that can tell you the truth, and oftentimes what you need to hear, are the most valuable friends. Another trait I value highly is hard work. Although to some this may seem very simple, as a very driven person myself, I try to surround myself with others that also strive for greatness in everything they do. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | This is a very difficult question. I have had many unfortunate but very amusing things happen to me. The most recent thing I can think of involves a minor bike accident. I was returning from a bike ride to meet my girlfriend at my house. As I was rounding the corner to my street, I saw her ahead and began to wave. I am not a very good biker and proceeded to lose control and catapult off my bike into a bush. I was unharmed, but had made a complete fool of myself in front of my new girlfriend. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would travel to Egypt to see the pyramids. I have been blessed to visit many different countries throughout the world including Costa Rica, South Africa, China and Ireland. I would like my next trip to be to Egypt. The pyramids have fascinated me since I was a young boy. The pure grandeur of those colossal structures is something I long to gaze upon. How such structures could be created in such primitive times is something I will always seek to understand. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | The only specific thing I would like to pass on to my children is the same love and support I received from my parents growing up. Whatever it is my children are interested in and passionate about, I want to give them every opportunity to achieve their goals in these subjects. When talking of success one night with my mother, I was focusing on certain monetary and financial goals that I had for my future. My mother responded by telling me something that has stayed with me to this day. She told me I could have the most successful and fulfilling life by simply becoming a great father. I hope to realize this success one day. |
